Beau Jack, who was born as Sidney Walker in Waynesboro, Ga., on April 1, 1921, and raised in Augusta, is regarded as one of the greatest lightweight boxers who ever lived.

His professional record was 83 wins (including 40 knockouts), 24 losses and five draws. He grew up in Augusta fighting in "battle royals" which pitted young blacks in a ring to see who would be the last standing. He got a job shining shoes at the Augusta National Golf Club where he came to know legendary golfer Bobby Jones who paid his way north for formal boxing training.

He became one of the most popular fighters in New York City, headlining 21 boxing events at Madison Square Garden and winning the New York version of the "World" Lightweight Title twice in 1942 and 1943.

Eventually, his fighting skills took a nose dive with age, and he spent his final years shining shoes at the Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami. Beau Jack died Feb. 9, 2000, in a Miami nursing home.